Scottish Land & Estates has praised a new by-law prohibiting campfires and disposable barbecues in the Cairngorms National Park from April 1 to September 30 each year.
The regulation, approved by Scottish ministers, covers the UK’s largest national park.
Stephen Young, director of policy for Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Uncontrolled wildfires can rage across vast areas in a matter of hours, posing a threat to people, property and the rare native species for which the Cairngorms is renowned. Wildfires also generate very high temperatures which can set light to the underlying peat, a vital carbon store.
“The recent wildfires in the Cairngorms were brought under control largely due to the skill and willingness of gamekeepers and estates’ staff, who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the environment.
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“We very much welcome this proactive step being taken by the National Park and Scottish Ministers. We understand that other areas are, rightly, looking to introduce similar measures, which would protect even more of Scotland’s treasured landscapes.”
Earlier this year, fires at Carrbridge and Dava burned for four days, destroying nearly 12,000 hectares of moor and woodland and releasing huge amounts of carbon.
More than a dozen significant wildfires have been recorded across Scotland in 2025 alone, including one at Glen Finglas in the Trossachs caused by a disposable barbecue.
Scottish Land & Estates, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and regional moorland groups have repeatedly highlighted the dangers of campfires and disposable barbecues, especially in habitats that support rare ground-nesting birds, mammals and reptiles.
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